Silver halide photosensitive material automatic developing apparatus

ABSTRACT

In an apparatus for processing a silver halide color photographic material, a ratio of a unit amount A of a solid agent to be replenished at a time to the volume B of a color developing solution in a color developing tank satisfies the following relation: A/B&lt;5, and a conveyor conveys the photographic material from starting dipping the photographic material in the color developing solution to starting dipping the photographic material in a processing solution for a time not longer than 18 seconds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a silver halide photosensitive materialautomatic developing apparatus.

Conventionally, silver halide photosensitive material is processed in aprocessing solution by an automatic developing apparatus. It is commonthat the processing agent is replenished into the processing tank so asto maintain the activity of the processing solution in the processingtank at a predetermined value. Conventionally, the followingreplenishing system is employed to replenish the processing agent intothe processing tank. The processing agent is previously dissolved. Thethus obtained replenishing solution is supplied into the processingtank. This method is commonly used.

However, according to this commonly used replenishing method, thefollowing problems may be encountered. When the color developmentreplenishing solution stays in a color development replenishing solutiontank over a long period of time, the color developing agent isnecessarily oxidized. When the oxide of a color developing agent isdeposited on the photosensitive material, the quality of a developedimage is deteriorated in a low density portion on the photosensitivematerial, especially in a white portion on a photographic paper.

In order to avoid a long stay of the color development replenishingsolution in the color development replenishing solution tank, a methodhas been disclosed recently by Japanese Patent Publication Open toPublic Inspection No. 11954/1993, in which the processing agent forprocessing silver halide photosensitive material is solidified, and thesolid processing agent is directly supplied into the processing tank sothat the components of the processing agent can be replenished.

However, the present inventors have found that the following problemsmay be encountered even when the above method is used, in which thesolid processing agent is directly supplied into the processing tank.

When an amount of photosensitive material to be processed in one day istoo small, the color developing solution in the processing tank is notreplaced with a new one. Accordingly, the color developing agent in thesolution filled in the color developing tank is necessarily oxidized. Asa result, the oxide of the developing agent is deposited on thephotosensitive material. When the oxide of a color developing agent isdeposited on the photosensitive material, the quality of a developedimage is deteriorated in a low density portion on the photosensitivematerial, especially in a white portion on a photographic paper.

In Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 119454/1993described before, there is no description of the above problems, muchless a specific method to solve the problems.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem in whichthe oxide of the color developing agent is deposited on thephotosensitive material and the quality of an image formed in a lowdensity portion of the photosensitive material is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Another object of the present invention is to suppress a change in thesolution level so as to prevent the precipitation of the processingagent component and the deterioration of the processing solution.

It is possible to accomplish the above objects by the apparatusdescribed in claim of the, present invention.

The above object can be accomplished by an automatic developingapparatus for processing silver halide color photosensitive materialincluding a mechanism for supplying a solid processing agent for colordevelopment use substantially directly into a color development tank inthe case of replenishing the solid processing agent, wherein the colordevelopment processing time is not more than 18 seconds.

The above object can be accomplished by an automatic developingapparatus for processing silver halide color photosensitive materialincluding a mechanism for supplying replenishment water substantiallydirectly into a color development tank in the case of replenishing thereplenishment water, and also including a mechanism for supplying asolid processing agent for color development use substantially directlyinto a color development tank in the case of replenishing the solidprocessing agent, wherein the color development processing time is notmore than 18 seconds.

In this case, it is preferable that the replenishment watersubstantially directly replenished into the color development tank isheated.

In this case, it is preferable that a ratio A/B satisfies the followinginequality.

    A/B<5

where A is a unit supply amount (g) of the solid processing agent forcolor development use per one operation, and B is a tank capacity (l) ofthe color development tank.

It is preferable that an opening area ratio N of the above colordevelopment tank is not more than 12 cm² /l.

In this case, the opening area ratio N is defined as a ratio S/B,wherein S is an opening area (cm²) which is an interface area of gas andliquid in the color processing tank, and B is a tank capacity (l) of thecolor processing tank.

It is preferable to provide nozzles for jetting the color developmentprocessing solution onto a photosensitive surface of the silver halidephotosensitive material passing in the color development tank.

It is preferable that the following inequality is satisfied.

    B/C<100

where B is a tank capacity (l) of the color development tank, and C isan amount (l) of water replenished for dissolving the replenishmentsolid processing agent which is replenished for 1 m² of silver halidephotosensitive material.

It is preferable that a shape of the color development tank is formed inaccordance with a conveyance passage of silver halide photosensitivematerial.

It is preferable that a portion of the inner wall of the colordevelopment tank is also used as a conveyance guide for guiding thesilver halide photosensitive material.

It is preferable that the automatic developing apparatus includes aprocessing solution circulation means for generating a circulationcurrent in the color development tank, wherein a flow rate of thecirculation current generated by the processing solution circulationmeans is variable.

It is preferable that a filter is provided in the circulation passage inwhich the processing solution is circulated so that the processingsolution is subjected to filtration, and the solid processing agent forcolor development use is supplied before the filter through which theprocessing solution is circulated.

The above object can be accomplished by an automatic developingapparatus for silver halide photosensitive material including: aprocessing tank, the shape of which is formed in accordance with theconveyance passage of photosensitive material; and a filter arranged ina circulation passage in which the processing solution is circulated soas to conduct filtration of the processing solution, the automaticdeveloping apparatus further including a first circulation meansarranged in the circulation passage between the processing tank and thefilter, and a second circulation means arranged in the circulationpassage between the filter and the processing tank.

It is preferable to provide a nozzle means at a discharge port of thesecond circulation means on the processing tank side.

It is preferable that a flow rate of the circulation current generatedby the second circulation means is substantially constant in theprocessing of photosensitive material.

It is preferable to provide a processing tank solution level detectingmeans and to control the first circulation means in accordance with theresult of detection of the processing tank solution level detectingmeans.

It is preferable that a flow rate of the circulation current generatedby the second circulation means is variable according to thecircumstances and the first circulation means is also controlledaccording to the circumstances.

It is preferable to provide a processing tank solution level detectingmeans and to control the first or second circulation means in accordancewith the result of detection of the processing tank solution leveldetecting means.

The above object can be accomplished by an automatic developingapparatus for silver halide photosensitive material including a filterarranged in a circulation passage in which a color development solution,the developing time of which is not more than 18 seconds, is circulatedso that the processing solution is subjected to filtration, theautomatic developing apparatus further including a first circulationmeans provided in the circulation passage between the color developmenttank and the filter, and a second circulation means provided in thecirculation passage between the filter and the color development tank.

The present invention is different from the conventional trend oftechnology in which only the oxidization of the color developing agentis prevented. The concept of the present invention is to prevent notonly the oxidization of the color developing agent but also thedeposition of the oxide of the color developing agent. According to thepresent invention, an automatic developing apparatus for developingsilver halide color photosensitive material comprises a solid processingagent supply mechanism for directly supplying the color solid processingagent into a color developing tank, wherein an amount of deposition ofthe oxide of the color developing agent is reduced when the colordeveloping time is not more than 18 seconds even if the throughput ofphotosensitive material per one day is small.

In this case, it is preferable that the apparatus is provided with amechanism for substantially directly replenishing the replenishmentwater into the color developing tank. In this case, it is preferablethat the replenishment water directly replenished into the colordeveloping tank is heated. When the replenishment water is heated, it ispossible to maintain the stability of of the temperature of the solutionin the color developing tank. As a result, it is possible to stabilizedevelopment.

Further, the present inventors have found the following. Character A (g)is defined as an amount of supply of the color developing solidprocessing agent per one operation, and character B (l) is defined as atank capacity of the color developing processing tank. When theinequality of 0.01<A/B<5 is satisfied, development processing can becarried out stably even when the color developing time is not more than18 seconds. Specifically, when the color developing time exceeds 18seconds, the color development characteristic is stable with respect tothe fluctuation of the concentration of the color developing agent,however, when the color developing time is not more than 18 seconds, thecolor development characteristic becomes unstable with respect to thefluctuation of the concentration of the color developing agent, and thefluctuation of the concentration of the color developing agent is smallwhen the inequality of 0.01<A/B<5 is satisfied. It is preferable thatthe inequality of 0.05<A/B≦3 is satisfied in order to easily reduce thefluctuation of the color developing agent concentration. In this case,the tank capacity is defined as a volume of the processing solution inthe processing tank in the ordinary processing operation. That is, thetank capacity includes not only the processing solution in theprocessing tank but also the processing solution in an auxiliary tank ora circulation pipe.

In order to completely generate a color developing reaction, it ispreferable that the color developing time is not less than 5 seconds.

In order to prevent the oxidization of the color developing agent in thecolor developing tank so that the deterioration of image quality can beprevented, it is preferable that an opening area ratio N of the colordeveloping tank is not less than 0.5 cm² /l and not more than 12 cm² /l.It is more preferable than the opening area ratio N is not less than 1.0cm² /2 and not more than 8 cm² /2. In this case, the opening area ratioN is defined as a ratio S/B of the opening area S cm², which is aninterface area of gas and liquid of the color processing tank, to thetank capacity B (l) of the color processing tank.

When there is provided a nozzle for spraying the color developmentprocessing solution on a surface of the silver halide colorphotosensitive material passing in the color developing tank, the colordeveloping agent permeates into the photosensitive material, and thedevelopment processing is carried out stably. In this case, the nozzleconfiguration may be a spot type or slit type. Also, it is preferable toprovide a processing solution circulation means for generating acirculating current in the color developing tank so that the colordevelopment processing solution can be supplied to the nozzle by thisprocessing solution circulation means.

In order to accomplish the color development in the developing time ofnot more than 18 seconds, it is necessary to increase the concentrationof the color developing agent in the color developing tank. Accordingly,the color developing agent is apt to oxidize. In this case, the tankcapacity of the color developing tank is defined as B (l), and an amountof water replenished for dissolving the solid processing agent forreplenishment per 1 m² of silver halide color photosensitive material isdefined as C (l). When the ratio B/C is high like a conventionaldeveloping tank, a processing agent renewal ratio, which is a ratio ofthe color development processing agent renewed each time a unit area ofphotosensitive material is processed, is low, so that the oxide of thecolor developing agent tends to accumulate. However, when the inequalityof 1.5<B/C<100 is satisfied, the processing agent renewal ratio becomeshigh. Therefore, the oxide of the color developing agent is difficult toaccumulate. The more preferable range of the ratio B/C is 3 to 50.

When the configuration of the processing tank is formed in accordancewith the conveyance passage of photosensitive material, the processingsolution is in existence only in a portion close to the conveyancepassage. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the tank capacity of thecolor developing tank. In this case, when a portion of the inner wall ofthe color developing tank is also used as a conveyance guide of silverhalide color photosensitive material, the tank capacity of the colordeveloping tank is further reduced. In this case, even though anexclusive guide is not provided, silver halide color photosensitivematerial can be smoothly conveyed in the apparatus. Further, theoccurrence of jam of silver halide color photosensitive material isprevented, and the oxidization of the color developing solution causedin the process of jam clearance can be prevented. When the configurationof the processing tank is formed in accordance with the conveyancepassage of photosensitive material, the ratio of B/ST can be preferablymaintained to be not less than 1.5 and not more than 100, wherein ST(m²) is the area of photosensitive material conveying surface in theprocessing tank, and B (l) is a tank capacity. More preferably, theratio of B/ST is not less than 3.0 and not more than 50. In this case,when a portion of the inner wall of the color developing tank is alsoused as a conveyance guide of silver halide color photosensitivematerial, the tank capacity of the color developing tank is furtherreduced. In this case, even though an exclusive guide is not provided,silver halide color photosensitive material can be smoothly conveyed inthe apparatus. Further, the occurrence of jam of silver halide colorphotosensitive material is prevented, and the oxidization of the colordeveloping solution caused in the process of jam clearance can beprevented.

The apparatus of the invention includes a processing solutioncirculating means for generating a circulating current in the colordeveloping tank. A magnetic pump, a rotating means with a propellerscrew and like can be used as the processing solution circulating meansin the present invention. An amount of circulating current generated bythis processing solution circulating means is variable in accordancewith the operation of the automatic developing apparatus. Due to theforegoing, while the photosensitive material is processed in the colordeveloping tank, an amount of the generated circulating current isincreased so that the development property can be enhanced. While thephotosensitive material is not processed in the color developing tank,that is, while the solid processing agent or replenishment water issupplied, a small amount of circulating current is circulated so thatthe oxidization of the color developing agent can not advance. Due tothe foregoing, the occurrence of uneven density on a developed image canbe prevented. As a specific method for generating a circulating current,the amount of which is variable, a propeller type type pump, thepropeller speed of which is variable, is proposed.

In the apparatus of the invention, a filter is provided in thecirculating passage in which the processing solution is circulated. Theprocessing solution is subjected to filtration by this filter. It ispreferable that the solid processing agent for color development use issupplied at a position before the filter provided in the circulatingpassage. In other words, it is preferable that the solid processingagent is supplied upstream of the located position of the filter inrelation to the flow direction of the processing solution.

It is possible to use the mechanism of the present invention for thebleaching, fixing, bleaching and fixing and stabilizing processes.

Also, the present invention is to provide a silver halide photosensitivematerial automatic developing apparatus in which the configuration ofthe processing tank is formed in accordance with the conveyance passageof photosensitive material and a filter is provided in the circulatingpassage so that the processing agent is subjected to filtration. In thisautomatic developing apparatus, there are provided a first circulatingmeans in the circulating passage between the processing tank and thefilter, and a second circulating means in the circulating passagebetween the filter and the processing tank. Due to the foregoingstructure, even when the circulating current flows at high speed, apressure loss caused by the filter and the processing tank iscompensated by the first and second circulating means. Accordingly,there is no difference between a solution level in the case of acirculating current of high speed and a solution level in the case of nocirculating current. Consequently, it is possible to prevent theprocessing tank from overflowing. Also, it is possible to prevent thesolution level from being greatly lowered. Therefore, the precipitationof the processing agent component and the deterioration of the solidsolution, which are caused by the fluctuation of the solution level, canbe prevented.

This technique is effective. The reason is described as follows. Whenthe nozzle means is provided at an outlet on the processing tank side ofthe second circulating means, a pressure loss generated in theprocessing tank is large since the flow speed of the processing solutionis high in the processing tank.

In order to stabilize the processing of photosensitive material, it isvery effective that a rate of flow of the circulating current generatedby the second circulating means is substantially constant. It is veryeffective especially in the case of color development in which the colordevelopment processing time is not more than 18 seconds. In the casewhere a rate of flow of the circulating current generated by the secondcirculating means is substantially constant, when a processing tanksolution level detecting means is provided in the processing tank, thefirst circulating means is controlled in accordance with the result ofdetection of the processing tank solution level detecting means. In thisway, while the processing solution level is maintained constant, therate of flow of the circulating current can be made to be substantiallyconstant. Accordingly, the processing of photosensitive material can bemore stabilized. Further, a rate of flow of the circulating currentgenerated by the second circulating means is variable in accordance withthe circumstances, and the first circulating means is controlled inaccordance with the circumstances. In this way, the first circulatingmeans is subjected to not only feedback control but also feed forwardcontrol. Therefore, it is possible to further stabilize the processingtank solution level.

As described above, when the processing tank solution level detectingmeans is provided in the processing tank, the solution level is detectedby this means. In accordance with the result of detection, the first orsecond circulating means is controlled, so that the processing tanksolution level can be stabilized.

In a silver halide color photosensitive material automatic developingapparatus in which the color developing time is not more than 18seconds, there is provided a filter in the color developing solutionpassage so that the processing solution is subjected to filtration. Inthis silver halide color photosensitive material automatic developingapparatus, the first circulating means is provided in the circulatingpassage from the color developing tank to the filter, and the secondcirculating means is provided in the circulating passage from the filterto the color developing tank. In the above automatic developingapparatus, even when a flow speed of the circulating current is high,since a pressure loss generated in the filter and processing tank iscompensated by the first and second circulating means, a difference ofthe solution level is not caused between a case in which the circulatingcurrent flows at high speed and a case in which the circulating currentdoes not flow. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the processingtank from overflowing. Also, it is possible to prevent the solutionlevel from being greatly lowered. Therefore, the precipitation of theprocessing agent component and the deterioration of the solid solution,which are caused by the fluctuation of the solution level, can beprevented.

In the present invention, the solid processing agent is defined as asolid processing agent used for replenishing the processing agentcomponents of the color developing solution. Various types solidprocessing agents are used. Examples of usable solid processing agentsare powdery, tablet-shaped, pill-shaped, and granular solid processingagents. When necessary, the surface of the solid processing agent may becoated with a water soluble polymer. In the present invention, powder isdefined as an aggregated body composed of minute crystals. In thepresent invention, granules are defined as particles made of powder, andit is preferable that the particles size is 50 to 5000 μm. In thepresent invention, a tablet is defined as a piece in which powder orgranules are molded into a predetermined shape by means of compression.In the present invention, a pill is defined as a piece in which powderor granules are formed into a spherical shape by means of granulation ormaking tablet. It is preferable to use a granular, tablet-shaped orpill-shaped solid processing agent because it is not dusty and furtherthe charging accuracy of the solid processing agent can be enhanced.Especially, the tablet type solid processing agent is most preferablebecause it is handy and the replenishment accuracy is high. Further, thetablet type solid processing agent is not dissolved suddenly, so thatthe concentration is not changed abruptly. Therefore, the effects of thepresent invention can be completely provided.

In order to solidify the photographic processing agent, arbitrary meansmay be employed. For example, a thick solution, fine powder or minuteparticles are mixed with a water soluble binder and then kneaded andmolded. Alternatively, the surface of a temporarily formed solidphotographic processing agent is coated with a water soluble binder bymeans of atomization. These means are disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication Open to Public Inspection Nos. 29136/1992, 85533/1992 to85536/1992 and 172341/1992.

A preferable method of manufacturing tablets is to form a powdery solidprocessing agent into granules and then the granules are subjected tothe process of making tablet. The thus obtained solid processing agentis superior to a solid processing agent made by mixing the solidprocessing agent components and forming them into a tablet, and furtherit is possible to provide a stable photographic performance. In thiscase, various granulation methods may be employed for making tablets,granules and pills. Examples of the usable methods are: rollinggranulation, extrusion granulation, compression granulation, crushinggranulation, agitation granulation, fluid bed granulation, andatomization drying granulation. When a water soluble binder is added by0.01 to 20 weight percent in the process of granulation, a higher effectcan be provided. Examples of the usable water soluble binders are:cellulose, dextrin, sugar-alcohol, polyethylene glycol, andcyclodextrin.

When the thus obtained granules are compressed to form a tablet, acompressor of the prior art can be used. Examples of the usablecompressors are: a hydraulic press, single shot tablet making machine,rotary tablet making machine, and briquetting machine. More preferably,in the process of granulation, each component such as an alkali agent orpreserving agent is separately subjected to granulation. Due to theforegoing, the above effect can be further enhanced.

The tablet processing agent can be manufactured by the common methoddisclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection Nos.61837/1976, 155038/1979 and 88025/1977, and also disclosed in BritishPatent Publication No. 1,213,808. The granular processing agent can bemanufactured by the common method disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication Open to Public Inspection Nos. 109042/1990, 109043/1990,39735/1991 and 39739/1991. The powder processing agent can bemanufactured by the common method disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication Open to Public Inspection No. 133332/1979 and British PatentPublication Nos. 725,892 and 729,862, and Germany Patent Publication No.3,733,861.

In the present invention, the following supply methods for supplying thesolid processing agent into the processing tank are used. When the solidprocessing agent is of a tablet type, the methods disclosed in JapaneseUtility Model Publication Open to Public Inspection Nos. 137783/1988,97522/1988 and 85732/1989. As long as the method is provided with afunction to supply tablets into the processing tank, any method can beemployed. In the case where the solid processing agent is of a granuleor powder type, the gravity dropping method may be employed which isdisclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication Open to PublicInspection Nos. 81964/1987 and 84151/1988 and Japanese PatentPublication Open to Public Inspection No. 292375/1989, or alternativelythe screw method may be employed which is disclosed in Japanese UtilityModel Publication Open to Public Inspection Nos. 105159/1988 and195345/1988. However, it should be noted that the present invention isnot limited to the specific method.

According to the present invention, the solid processing agent ischarged into any portion in the processing tank, however, it ispreferable that the solid processing agent is charged into a portioncommunicated with the processing section in which the photosensitivematerial is processed and the processing solution is circulated betweenthe portion and the processing section. It is also preferable that apredetermined amount of processing solution is circulated in theportion. It is also preferable that the solid processing agent ischarged into a processing solution, the temperature of which iscontrolled.

From the view point of enhancing the effect of the present invention,and also from the view point of enhancing the durability and accuracy ofthe apparatus, an amount of the solid processing agent charged by oneoperation is preferably not less than 0.1 g. From the view point ofenhancing the effect of the present invention, and also from theviewpoint of reducing the dissolving time, the amount of the solidprocessing agent charged by one operation is preferably not more than 50g.

In the present invention, replenishment water is defined as watersupplied into the processing tank in accordance with the throughput ofthe photosensitive material. In the present invention, replenishmentwater does not substantially include water to be supplied so as to makeup for evaporated water. Consequently, in the present invention, anamount of added water for replenishment is an amount of water obtainedwhen an amount of evaporated water is subtracted from a total amount ofwater supplied to the processing tank.

When the amount of added water for replenishment is not less than 30 mlper 1 m² of the photosensitive material, a solution level of theprocessing tank of the automatic developing apparatus is difficult to belowered. Therefore, it is possible to provide a necessary processingtime, so that the photographic performance is not affected, and theprecipitation of unnecessary components in the processing solution isreduced and further the photosensitive material is not stained, which ispreferable. On the other hand, when the amount of added water forreplenishment is not more than 75 ml/m², an amount of waste solution isreduced as compared with a case in which the conventional replenishmentsystem is employed. Therefore, environmental pollution is greatlyreduced. Further, in comparison with the conventional replenishmentsystem, the processing stability can be increased in the replenishmentsystem of the present invention. In this case, it is preferable that theamount of replenishment water is not less than 35 ml/m², and it is morepreferable that the amount of replenishment water is not less than 40ml/m². It is also preferable that the amount of replenishment water isnot more than 70 ml/m², and it is more preferable that the amount ofreplenishment water is not more than 60 ml/m².

An object of the present invention can be accomplished when an amount ofreplenishment of the developing agent of paraphenylene diamine containedin the solid processing agent is maintained so that a ratio of theamount of replenishment of the developing agent to an amount ofreplenishment water can be 0.024 mol/l to 0.066 mol/l. It is preferablethat the above range is 0.028 mol/l to 0.062 mol/l. It is morepreferable that the above range is 0.033 mol/l to 0.048 mol/l. When theratio is maintained in the above range, remarkable effects can beprovided by the present invention. That is, when the ratio is higherthan the lower limit of the above range, while a sufficiently highphotographic density is provided, an amount of replenishment water canbe produced and also an amount of the waste solution can be reduced,which is preferable. On the other hand, when the ratio is lower than theupper limit of the above range, the concentration of the processingsolution is not increased too high, so that the solubility of the colordeveloping agent of paraphenylene diamine is not increased to a valueclose to the limit, and the occurrence of precipitation can beprevented, which is preferable.

The color developing agent of the present invention is a chemicalcompound of p-phenylene diamine having a water soluble group. At leastone water soluble group is attached to the amino group of p-phenylenediamine compound or attached onto the benzene nucleus. Specific examplesof the water soluble group are: --(CH₂)_(n) --CH₂ OH, --(CH₂)_(m)--NHSO₂ --(CH₂)_(n) CH₃, --(CH₂)_(m) --O--(CH₂)_(n) --CH₃, --(CH₂ CH₂O)_(n) C_(m) H_(2m+1) (m and n are integers not less than 0), --COOH and--SO₃ H.

Specific examples of the chemical compounds of the color developingagent preferably used in the present invention are described in thefollowing (C-1) to (C-18). ##STR1##

The following chemical compounds are preferably used in the presentinvention.

(C-1), (C-2), (C-3), (C-4), (C-15), (C-17), and (C-18).

A preferably used color developing agent capable of providing aremarkable effect of the present invention is the color developing agentof paraphenylene diamine having a water soluble group expressed by thefollowing formula [I]. ##STR2##

In the formula [I], R₁ and R₂ are an hydrogen atom, halogen, alkylgroup, alkoxy group or acyl amino group. R3 is an alkyl group. R4 is analkylene group. R5 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or arylgroup.

Except for the chemical compounds described above, the followingchemical compounds (C-19) to (C-35) are preferably used. These chemicalcompounds are expressed by the groups of R₁ to R₅ of the formula [I].

    __________________________________________________________________________    R.sub.1    R.sub.2                  R.sub.3                        R.sub.4   R.sub.5    __________________________________________________________________________    C-19       --H     --H                  --C.sub.3 H.sub.7                        --CH.sub.2 CH(--CH.sub.3)--                                  --CH.sub.3    C-20       --NHCOCH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-21       --H     --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH(--CH.sub.3)--                                  --CH.sub.3    C-22       --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-23       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH(--CH.sub.3)--                                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3    C-24       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3    C-25       --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH(--CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-26       --NHCOCH.sub.3               --H                  --C.sub.3 H.sub.7                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-27       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.3    C-28       --H     --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 --N--(CH.sub.3).sub.2    C-29       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 Cl    C-30       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 --NHCO--CH.sub.3    C-31       --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.3    C-32       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3    C-33       --CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-34       --Cl    --H                  --CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                  --CH.sub.3    C-35       --O--CH.sub.3               --H                  --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                        --CH.sub.2 CH(--CH.sub.3)--                                  --CH.sub.3    __________________________________________________________________________

Chemical compounds of (C-20), (C-27), (C-29), (C-30) and (C-33) arepreferably used. The most preferable chemical compound is (C-1) in theexemplary chemical compounds. In order to synthesize the chemicalcompounds of the formula [I], a synthesizing method described inJapanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 37198/1992 maybe employed. Commonly, the above developing agents are used in the formof hydrochloride, sulfate or p-toluene sulfonate.

The above color developing agent may be singly used, or alternativelytwo of them may be used together. When necessary, the monochromaticdeveloping agents such as phenidone,4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone and Metol may be usedtogether.

When the chemical compound expressed by the following formula [A] or [B]is contained in the color developing agent of the present invention, theeffect of the present invention is further enhanced. That is, when thedeveloping agent is solidified, the preserving property can be enhancedhigher than other chemical compounds. Further, the developing agent isstable from the viewpoint of the photographic performance. Therefore,the occurrence of fog is reduced in a portion that has not been exposedto light. ##STR3##

In the formula [A], R₁ and R₂ are alkyl groups, aryl groups, R'--CO--groups or hydrogen atoms, wherein hydrogen atoms are not usedsimultaneously. The alkyl groups expressed by R₁ and R₂ may be the sameor different from each other, and it is preferable that each is an alkylgroup, the carbon number of which is 1 to 3. Further, these alkyl groupsmay have a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a sulfonicacid group or hydroxyl group. In this case, R' expresses an alkoxygroup, alkyl group or aryl group. The alkyl group and the aryl group ofR₁, R₂ and R' include a substituent, and also R₁ and R₂ may be combinedso as to be formed into an ring. For example, a heterocyclic ring suchas piperidine, pyridine, triazine and morpholine may be composed.##STR4##

In the formula [B], R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ are hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups,aryl groups, or hetero cycle groups, wherein alkyl groups, aryl groups,and hetero ring groups are substituted or unsubstituted. R₁₄ is ahydroxy group, hydroxyamino group, alkyl group, aryl group, hetero-ringgroup, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, carbamoyl group, and amino group,wherein the alkyl group, aryl group, hetero-ring group, alkoxy group,aryloxy group, carbamoyl group, and amino group are substituted orunsubstituted. The hetero-group is composed of 5 to 6 membered rings,which are composed of the atoms of C, H, O, N, S and halogen. It may besaturated or unsaturated. R₁₅ expresses a group of 2 values selectedfrom --CO--, --SO₂ --, and --C(═NH)--. In this case, n is 0 or 1. In thecase of n=0, R₁₄ expresses a group selected from an alkyl group, arylgroup and hetero-ring group. R₁₃ and R₁₄ may compose a hetero-ring groupin cooperation with each other.

Among the chemical compounds expressed by the formula [A], the chemicalcompounds expressed by the following formula [2] is preferable becausethey provide remarkable effect of the present invention. ##STR5##

In the formula [2], L expresses an alkylene group, and A expresses acarboxyl group, sulfo group, phosphono group, phosphinic acid group,hydroxyl group, amino group, carbamoyl group and sulfamoyl group. Rexpresses a hydrogen atom or alkyl group. Any of L, A and R includes astraight chain and a branching chain. They may be either substituted orunsubstituted. L and R may be connected with each other so as to form aring.

The chemical compounds expressed by the formula [2] will be furtherexplained in detail. In the expression, L is a straight chain orbranching chain of alkylene group, which may be substituted, the carbonnumber of which is 1 to 10. In this case, it is preferable that thecarbon number is 1 to 5. Specifically, preferable examples are: amethylene group, ethylene group, trimethylene group and propylene group.Example of the substituent are: a carboxyl group, sulfo group, phosphonogroup, phosphine acid group, hydroxyl group, ammoniac group which may besubjected to alkyl substitution. Preferable examples are: a carboxylgroup, sulfo group, phosphono group, and hydroxyl group. A expresses acarboxyl group, sulfo group, phosphono group, phosphine acid group,hydroxyl group, amino group, ammoniac group, carbamoyl group orsulfamoyl group, wherein an amino group, ammoniac group, carbamoyl groupand sulfamoyl group may be subjected to alkyl substitution. Preferableexamples are: a carboxyl group, sulfo group, hydroxyl group, phosphonogroup, and carbamoyl group which may be subjected to alkyl substitution.Preferable examples of --L--A are: a carboxymethyl group, carboxyethylgroup, carboxypropyl group, sulfoethyl group, sulfopropyl group,sulfobutyl group, phosphonomethyl group, phosphonoethyl group, andhydroxyethyl group. More preferable examples are: a carboxymethyl group,carboxyethyl group, sulfoethyl group, sulfopropyl group, phosphonomethylgroup, and phosphonoethyl group. R expresses a hydrogen atom, or astraight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms,which may be substituted. It is preferable that the number of carbonatoms is 1 to 5. Example of the substituent are: a carboxyl group, sulfogroup, phosphono group, phosphine acid group, hydroxyl group, ammoniacgroup, ammoniac group, carbamoyl group or sulfamoyl group, wherein theammoniac group, ammoniac group, carbamoyl group and sulfamoyl group maybe subjected to alkyl substitution. In this case, the number ofsubstituents may be not less than 2. Preferable examples of R are: ahydrogen atom, carboxymethyl group, carboxyethyl group, carboxypropylgroup, sulfoethyl group, sulfopropyl group, sulfobutyl group,phosphonomethyl group, phosphonoethyl group, and hydroxyethyl group.More preferable examples are: a hydrogen atom, carboxymethyl group,carboxyethyl group, sulfoethyl group, sulfopropyl group, phosphonomethylgroup, and phosphonoethyl group. In this case, L and R may be connectedwith each other so that a ring can be formed.

Typical chemical compounds expressed by the formula [2] are shown asfollows. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited tothese specific chemical compounds. ##STR6##

Chemical compounds shown by these formula [A] or [B] are commonly usedin the form of free amine, hydrochloride, sulfate, p-toluene sulfonate,oxalate, phosphate or acetate. To the color developing agent used forthe developing apparatus of the present invention, a small amount ofsulfite can be added as preservatives. Examples of usable sulfite are:sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, and potassiumbisulfite. A buffer can be added to the color developing agent used forthe developing apparatus of the present invention. Examples of usablebuffers are: potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate,potassium bicarbonate, sodium tertiary phosphate, potassium tertiaryphosphate, potassium binary phosphate, sodium borate, potassium borate,sodium tetraborate (boric acid), potassium tetraborate, o-hydroxy sodiumbenzoate (sodium salicylate), o-hydroxy potassium benzoate,5-sulfo-2-hydroxy sodium benzoate (5-sulfo sodium salicylate),5-sulfo-2-hydroxy potassium benzoate (5-sulfo potassium salicylate), and5-sulfo-hydroxy potassium benzoate (5-sulfo potassium salicylate).

Examples of usable development accelerating agents are: thioethercompounds, p-phenylene diamine compounds, quaternary ammonium salt,p-aminophenol, amine compounds, polyalkylene oxide,1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, hydrazine, meso-ionic compounds, ioniccompounds, and imidazole. These development accelerating agents areadded when necessary.

It is preferable that the color developing solution and color developingagent do not substantially contain benzylalcohol.

For the purpose of preventing the occurrence of fog, chloric ions andbromic ions can be added to the color developing solution in theprocessing tank. In the case where chloric ions are directly added intothe color developing agent, chlorides of sodium, potassium, ammonium,nickel, magnesium, manganese, calcium or cadmium are used as the chloricion supply substance. It is preferable to use sodium chloride orpotassium chloride. These chlorides may be added in the form of countersalt of the fluorescent whitening agent to be added to the colordeveloping agent. Bromides of sodium, potassium, ammonium, lithium,calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, cadmium, cerium or thallium areused as the bromic ion supply substance. It is preferable to usepotassium bromide or sodium bromide.

In order to enhance the effect of the present invention, it ispreferable that the color developing agent used in the present inventioncontains a fluorescent whitening agent of triazinyl stilbene. It ispreferable to use chemical compounds expressed by the following formula[E] as the fluorescent whitening agent. ##STR7##

In the above expression, X₂, X₃, Y₁ and Y₂ respectively express ahydroxyl group, halogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group, ##STR8## or--OR₂₅. In this case, R₂₁ and R₂₂ respectively express a hydrogen atom,alkyl group (including a substituent) or aryl group (including asubstituent). R₂₃ and R₂₄ express an alkylene group (including asubstituent). R₂₅ expresses a hydrogen atom, alkyl group (including asubstituent) or aryl group (including a substituent). M expressescation.

Further, various additives such as a stain preventing agent, sludgepreventing agent and interlayer effect accelerating agent may be added.

In order to effectively accomplish the object of the present invention,it is preferable to add a chelate agent expressed by the followingformulas [K-I] to [K-V] to the color developing agent and black andwhite developing agent composition. ##STR9##

In the above formula, A₁ to A₄ may be the same or different from eachother. A₁ to A₄ express a hydrogen atom, hydroxy group, --COOM, --PO₃(M)₂, --CH₂ COOM, --CH₂ OH, or lower alkyl group which may have asubstituent. However, at least one of A₁ to A₄ is either --COOM, --PO₃(M)₂, or --CH₂ COOM. Each of M, M₁ and M₂ independently expresses ahydrogen atom, ammonium group, alkali metal or organic ammonium group.##STR10##

In the above formula, A₁₁ to A₁₄ may be the same or different from eachother. A₁₁ to A₁₄ express --CH₂ OH, --COOM, or --PO₃ (M)₂. M expresses ahydrogen atom, ammonium group, alkali metal organic ammonium group. Xexpresses an alkylene group, the carbon number of which is 2 to 6, or--(B₁ O)_(n) --B₂ --. In this case, n is an integer of 1 to 8. B₁ and B₂may be the same or different from each other and express an alkylenegroup, the carbon number of which is 1 to 5. ##STR11##

In the formula, A₂₁ to A₂₄ may be the same or different from each other.A₂₁ to A₂₄ independently express --CH₂ OH, --COOM, --N[(CH₂)n₅ COOH],[(CH₂)n₆ COOH)], or --PO₃ (M)₂. M expresses a hydrogen atom, ammoniumgroup, alkali metal organic ammonium group. X₁ expresses an alkylenegroup of straight chain or branch, the carbon number of which is 2 to 6,a saturated or unsaturated organic group forming a ring, or --(B₁₁₁ O)n₇-B₁₂. In this case, n₇ expresses an integer of 1 to 8, and B₁₁ to B₁₂may be the same or different from each other and express an alkylenegroup, the carbon number of which is 1 to 5. Numerals n₁ to n₆ expressan integer not less than 1 to 4 and may be the same or different fromeach other. ##STR12##

In the formula, n' expresses an integer of 1 to 3. A₃₁ to A₃₄, B₃₁ toB₃₅ express --H, --OH, --C_(n) H_(2n+1) or --(CH₂)_(m) X, wherein nexpresses an integer of 1 to 3, and m expresses an integer of 0 to 3. Xexpresses --COOM (M expresses a hydrogen atom, cation, or an alkalimetal atom), --NH₂, or --OH. However, it should be noted that all of B₃₁to B₃₅ are not hydrogen atoms. ##STR13##

In the formula, R₉ to R₁₁ express a hydrogen atom, --OH, or asubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, wherein examples of thesubstituent are --OH, --COOM and --PO₃ M₂. B₄₁ to B₄₃ express a hydrogenatom, --OH, --COOM, --PO₃ M₂, or --N(R')₂. R' expresses a hydrogen atom,alkyl group, the carbon number of which is 1 to 5, or --PO₃ M₂. Mexpresses a hydrogen atom or alkali metal. In this case, n and mindependently express an integer of 0 or 1. ##STR14##

It is preferable to use the chelate agents of K-I-2, K-II-1, K-II-5,K-III-10, K-IV-1 and K-V-1. When these chelate agents are used, theeffect of the present invention can be effectively provided. Further,the above color developing agents may contain an anionic, cationic,amphoteric or nonionic surface active agent. When necessary, varioussurface active agents such as alkylsulfonic acid, aryl sulfonic acid,aliphatic carboxylic acid, and aromatic carboxylic acid. When theconcentration of the paraphenylene diamine color developing agent in theprocessing agent in the color developing tank is not less than 0.018mol/l, the effect of the present invention can be further enhanced, andit is more preferable that the concentration is not less than 0.020mol/l. In this connection, in the examples of the present inventiondescribed later, the concentration was 0.022 mol/l.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that thetemperature of the processing solution in the color developing tank iscontrolled to be in a predetermined temperature range. It is morepreferable that the temperature of the processing solution in the colordeveloping tank is controlled to be in a temperature range of ±1.5° C.,and it is most preferable that the temperature of the processingsolution in the color developing tank is controlled to be in atemperature range of ±0.5° C.

In the present invention, the solid processing agent for colordevelopment use may contain a color developing agent, alkaline agent andpreservatives in one tablet. Alternatively, the color developing agent,alkaline agent and preservatives may be individually formed into onetablet.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a silver halidephotosensitive material containing a silver halide emulsion in which notless than 80 mol % of silver halide composition is silver chloride, morepreferably, not less than 90 mol % of silver halide composition issilver chloride. Due to the foregoing, the effect of the presentinvention can be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall arrangement view of the silver halidephotosensitive material processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the above silver halide photosensitivematerial processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the automatic developing apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing variations of the colordeveloping agent of Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a granule processing agent supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another granule processing agent supplyunit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing variations of the colordeveloping tank of Example 4.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view showing the automatic developingapparatus of Example 5.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view showing the tanks of the automaticdeveloping apparatus from the color developing tank to the firststabilizing tank.

FIG. 10(a) is a view of the processing tank of the automatic developingapparatus, wherein the view is taken from an upper position of theprocessing tank, and FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c) are transverse sectionalviews of the processing tank.

FIG. 11 is a control flow diagram showing the control flow of theprocessing solution circulation in the processing tank of the automaticdeveloping apparatus of Example 5.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the primary portion of the colordeveloping tank of the automatic developing apparatus of Example 6.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the color developing tank of theautomatic developing apparatus of Example 6.

FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are illustrations of a spray of the colordeveloping tank of the automatic developing apparatus of Example 6.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the arrangement of sprays in the colordeveloping tank of the automatic developing apparatus of Example 6.

FIG. 16(A), 16(B) and 16(C) are sectional views of the tanks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedbelow, however, it should be noted that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments.

Example 1

An automatic developing apparatus to which the present invention can beapplied will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.The automatic developing apparatus of this example is a modified NPS818type automatic developing apparatus manufactured by Konica Co., Ltd.FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the construction of a silverhalide photosensitive material processing apparatus (printer processor)in which the automatic developing apparatus A and photographic printer Bare integrated.

In FIG. 1, in the left lower portion of the photographic printer B,there is provided a magazine M in which a roll of photographic paper,which is an unexposed silver halide photographic material, isaccommodated. The photographic paper is pulled out from the magazine Mand conveyed by the feed rollers R₁ and cut into a predetermined size bythe cutter C. In this way, a sheet of photographic paper can beprovided. This sheet of photographic paper is conveyed by the beltconveyance means Be. Then an image of the original O is exposed onto thesheet of photographic paper by a light source and lens L in the exposuresection E. The exposed sheet of photographic paper is further conveyedby a plurality of pairs of feed rollers R2, R3 and R4, so that the sheetof photographic paper is introduced into the automatic developingapparatus A. In the automatic developing apparatus A, the sheet ofphotographic paper is successively conveyed by a roller conveyance means(the reference numeral is not attached to the means) into the colordevelopment tank 1A, bleaching and fixing tank 1B and stabilizing tanks(the first stabilizing tank 1C, the second stabilizing tank 1D, and thethird stabilizing tank 1E), wherein these 3 tanks substantially composea processing tank 1T. Due to the foregoing, the sheet of exposedphotographic paper is subjected to color development, bleaching andfixing processing and stabilizing processing. After the processing hasbeen completed, the sheet of photographic paper is dried by the dryingsection 5, and then discharged outside of the apparatus. It should benoted that the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiment described above. It is possible to apply the presentinvention to an automatic developing apparatus substantially composed of4 tanks of a color developing tank, bleaching tank, fixing tank andstabilizing tank.

In this connection, the one-dotted chain line in the drawing shows aconveyance passage of the silver halide photosensitive material. In thisexample, the photosensitive material is cut into a sheet and introducedinto the automatic developing apparatus A, however, a strip-shapedphotosensitive material may be introduced into the automatic developingapparatus A in the present invention. In this case, the processingefficiency can be enhanced when an accumulator for temporarily stockingthe photosensitive material is provided between the automatic developingapparatus A and photographic printer B. Of course, the automaticdeveloping apparatus A of the present invention may be constructedintegrally with the photographic printer B, or alternatively theautomatic developing apparatus A of the present invention may beconstructed separately from the photographic printer B. Of course, thesilver halide photosensitive material processed by the automaticdeveloping apparatus A of the present invention is not limited to theexposed photographic paper, but an exposed negative film may be appliedto the automatic developing apparatus A of the present invention.

The color development tank 1A, the bleaching and fixing tank 1B and thethird stabilizing tanks 1E are respectively provided with the solidprocessing agent supply devices 3A, 3B and 3E for supplying the solidprocessing agent.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire photosensitive materialprocessing apparatus in which the automatic developing apparatus A ofthe present invention, photographic printer B and sorter C areintegrally combined. In FIG. 2, the cover A1 of the automatic developingapparatus A is opened upward, and the accommodating container D havingsolid processing agent is inserted into the attaching section A2 fromthe left upper to the right lower position in the drawing. After that,they are fixed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the auxiliary tank and processing agentsupply means of the color development tank A taken on line I--I inFIG. 1. In this case, the construction of the bleaching and fixing tank1B and that of the stabilizing tanks (the first stabilizing tank 1C, thesecond stabilizing tank 1D, and the third stabilizing 1E) are the sameas the construction of the color development tank 1A. Therefore, theexplanation of the processing tank 1T can be applied to all tanks of thecolor development tank 1A, the bleaching and fixing tank 1b, and thestabilizing tanks (the first stabilizing tank 1C, the second stabilizingtank 1D, and the third stabilizing 1E). In this connection, forenhancing the understanding of the invention, the conveyance means forconveying the photosensitive material is omitted in the drawing. In thisexample, explanations will be made under the condition that tablets ofsolid processing agent are used. The processing tank 1T for processingthe photosensitive material is provided with an auxiliary tank 2Tintegrally attached to the outside of the partition wall forming theprocessing tank 1. A solid processing agent charging section 20T isarranged at an upper portion of the auxiliary tank 2T. Tablets Jsupplied from the solid processing agent supply means 3A, 3B, 3E passthrough the solid processing agent charging section 20T and are suppliedto the auxiliary tank 2T. The processing tank 1T and the auxiliary tank2T are separate from each other by the partition wall 21A on which acommunication window 21T is formed, so that the processing solution canbe communicated through the communication window 21T. The auxiliary tank2T is provided with an enclosure 25T in which the tablets J arereceived. In this connection, the enclosure 25T is made of material suchas a net so that the processing solution can pass through the enclosure25T, however, the tablets J in the form of a solid body can not passthrough the enclosure 25T until they are dissolved in the solution.

A cylindrical filter 22T is disposed below the auxiliary tank 2T in sucha manner that the cylindrical filter 22T can be replaced. Thecylindrical filter 22T removes an undissolved object such asprecipitations in the processing solution. A circulation pipe 23Tconnected with the suction side of a circulation pump 24T (circulationmeans) is inserted into the filter 22T penetrating through the lowerwall of the auxiliary tank 2T.

The circulation system includes the circulation pipe 23T forming acirculation passage of the processing solution, and also includes thecirculation pump 24T, the processing tank 1T and the auxiliary tank 2T.One end of the circulation pipe 23T is communicated with the deliveryside of the circulation pump 24T, and the other end penetrates a lowerwall of the processing tank 1T, so that the circulation pipe 23T iscommunicated with the processing tank 1T. Due to the foregoingconstruction, when the circulation pump 24T is operated, the processingsolution is sucked from the auxiliary tank 2T and discharged into theprocessing tank 1T, so that the discharged processing solution is mixedwith the processing solution in the processing tank 1T, and then sent tothe auxiliary tank 2T. In this way, the processing solution iscirculated. In the present invention, the circulating direction of theprocessing agent is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 3, butthe direction may be reverse to that shown in FIG. 3.

A waste solution pipe lit is provided for permitting the processingsolution in the processing tank 1T to overflow, so the solution levelcan be maintained constant and an increase in the components conveyedfrom other tanks into the processing tank 1T can be prevented. Further,an increase in the components oozing out from the photosensitivematerial can be prevented.

A rod-shaped heater 26T penetrates an upper wall of the auxiliary tank2T, and is dipped in the processing solution in the auxiliary tank 2T.The processing solution in the auxiliary tank 2T and processing tank ITis heated by this heater 26 in accordance with a temperature detected bya thermometer not shown in the drawing arranged in the auxiliary tank2T. In other words, the heater 26T is a temperature regulating means forregulating the temperature of the processing solution in the processingtank 1T, so that the temperature can be controlled in an appropriaterange, for example, in a range from 20° to 55° C.

A photoelectric sensor to be used as a throughput information detectingmeans 31T is disposed at an entrance of the automatic developingapparatus A, and detects the throughput of the photosensitive materialto be processed. This throughput information detecting means 31T iscomprised of a plurality of detecting members that are disposed in atransverse direction. This throughput information detecting means 31Tdetects the width of photosensitive material, and the result ofdetection is used for counting the detection time. Since the conveyancespeed of photosensitive material is previously set in a mechanicalmanner, the throughput of photosensitive material, that is, the area ofprocessed photosensitive material can be calculated form the width andtime information. An infrared ray sensor, microswitch and ultrasonicsensor capable of detecting the width and conveyance time ofphotosensitive material can be used for this throughput informationdetecting means 31T. A means for indirectly detecting the area ofprocessed photosensitive material may be used for this throughputinformation detecting means 31. For example, in the case of the printerprocessor shown in FIG. 1, a means for detecting an amount of printedphotosensitive material may be adopted, or alternatively, a means fordetecting an amount of processed photosensitive material, the area ofwhich is predetermined, may be adopted. Concerning the detecting time,in this example, detection is carried out before processing, however,detection may be carried out after processing or while thephotosensitive material is being dipped in the processing solution. Inthese cases, the throughput information detecting means 31T may bedisposed at an appropriate position so that detection can be conductedafter processing or while the photosensitive material is beingprocessed. It is not necessary to provide the throughput informationdetecting means 31T for each processing tank 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and itis preferable that one throughput information detecting means 31T isprovided for one automatic developing apparatus A. The solid processingagent supply control means 32T receives a signal from the throughputinformation detecting means 31T so that the supply of the processingagent conducted by the solid processing agent supply means 30T iscontrolled and further the supply of replenishment water conducted bythe replenishment water supply means 40T is controlled.

The solid processing agent replenishing device 30T used for thephotosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention isdisposed above the processing tank 1T of the photosensitive materialprocessing apparatus, and comprises an accommodating container 33T,accommodating container charging means 34T, supply means 35T and drivemeans 36T, wherein the solid processing agent replenishing device 30T istightly closed by an upper cover 301. The upper cover 301T is rotatablyconnected with a main body 101T accommodating the processing tank 1T andauxiliary tank 2T, through a support shaft 302T attached to the back ofthe main body. The upper cover 301T is lifted upward as shown by aone-dotted chain line in the drawing, so that the front and upperportions of the apparatus can be widely opened. In this way, inspectionof the solid processing agent replenishing device 30T, and replacementof the filter 22T can be easily conducted.

A skylight 303T is rotatably connected with a portion of the uppersurface of the upper cover 301T. When the skylight 303T is opened asillustrated by a one-dotted chain line B in the drawing, theaccommodating container 33T is attached or replaced.

At a position close to the auxiliary tank 2T in the main body 101T ofthe photosensitive material processing apparatus, there is provided areplenishment water supply means 40T. The replenishment water supplymeans 40T includes: a replenishment water tank 41T, bellows pump 43T,suction pipe 43T, and water feed pump 44T. Replenishment water Waccommodated in the replenishment water tank 41T is sucked by the actionof the bellows pump 42T and flows in the suction pipe 43T. After that,replenishment water W is extruded by the bellows pump 42T and flows inthe water supply pipe 44T. In this way, replenishment water W issupplied to an upper portion of the processing solution accommodated inthe auxiliary tank 2T. A drive motor of the bellows pump 42T is rotatedbeing controlled by the replenishment water supply control means 45T, sothat replenishment water W is intermittently replenished by the bellowspump 42T.

A solid processing agent for processing photographic color paper wasmade in the following manner.

[1] Solid processing agent (1) for developing photographic color paperwas prepared as follows.

OPERATION (1)

In this case, the developing agent of CD-3 is used, that is, 1350.0 g of4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-[β-(methanesulfoneamide)ethyl]aniline sulfateis ground by a Bandam Mill available on the market so that the averageparticle size can be 10 μm.

To the thus obtained fine powder, 1000.0 g of polyethylene glycol, theweight average molecular weight of which is 6000, is added and mixeduniformly by a mixer available on the market. Next, the mixture issubjected to a granulating machine available on the market for 7 minutesat the room temperature while 50 ml of water is added to the mixture. Inthis way, the granulation is effected. The thus obtained granules aredried by a fluidized-bed dryer for 2 hours at a temperature of 40° C.,so that the moisture in the granules is substantially completelyremoved.

OPERATION (2)

In Operation (2), 400.0 g of bis(sulfoethyl)hydroxylaminedisodium,1700.0 g of p-toluene sodium sulfonate, and 300.0 g of Chinopal SFP(manufactured by Chibaeigy Co.) are ground in the same manner as that ofOperation (1). The thus obtained mixture is mixed with 240.0 g ofPineflow (manufactured by Matsutani Kagaku Co.) using a mixer availableon the market. Next, in the same manner as that of Operation (1),granulation is conducted while 60 ml of water is added. The thusobtained granules are dried for 2 hours at a temperature of 50° C., sothat the moisture in the granules is substantially completely removed.

OPERATION (3)

In the same manner as that of Operation (1), 330.0 g of pentasodiumdiethylenetriamine pentaacetate, 130.0 g of p-toluene sodium sulfonate,37.0 g of sodium sulfite, 340.0 g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, and3300.0 g of potassium carbonate anhydride are ground in the same manneras that of Operation (1). The thus obtained mixture is mixed with 500.0g of polyethyleneglycol, the weight average molecular weight of which is4000, and 600.0 g of mannitol using a mixer available on the market in aroom, the humidity of which is adjusted to be not more than 40% RH.Next, in the same manner as that of Operation (1), granulation isconducted while 800 ml of water is added. The thus obtained granules aredried for 30 minutes at a temperature of 60° C., so that the moisture inthe granules is substantially completely removed.

OPERATION (4)

All the granules made in Operations (1) to (3) are mixed for 10 minutesusing a cross rotary type mixed available on the market at the roomtemperature. To the thus obtained mixture, 50.0 g of N-myristoyl-alaninesodium is added and mixed uniformly by a mixer available on the marketfor 3 minutes. Then the mixture is subjected to a rotary type tabletmachine (type Clean Press Correct H18 manufactured by Kikusui SeisakushoCo.), and tablets are made under the condition that the diameter is 30mm, the thickness is 10 mm, and the amount of charging per one tablet is10.5 g. In this case, the tablet making force is set at 7 t, and tabletsare continuously made. In this way, tablets of the solid processingagent for color development of photographic color paper are made. Thusobtained tablets of the solid processing agent are defined as the solidprocessing agent (1) for color development.

[2] Solid processing agent (2) for color development of photographiccolor paper is made as follows.

OPERATION (5)

In this case, the developing agent of CD-3 is used, that is, 1480.0 g of4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-[β-(methanesulfoneamide)ethyl]aniline sulfateis ground by a BandamMill available on the market so that the averageparticle size can be 10 μm.

To the thus obtained fine powder, 1000.0 g of polyethylene glycol, theweight average molecular weight of which is 6000, is added and mixeduniformly by a mixer available on the market. Next, the mixture issubjected to a granulating machine available on the market for 7 minutesat the room temperature while 50 ml of water is added to the mixture. Inthis way, the granulation is effected. The thus obtained granules aredried by a fluidized-bed dryer for 2 hours at a temperature of 40° C.,so that the moisture in the granules is substantially completelyremoved.

OPERATION (6)

All the granules made in Operations (2), (3) and (5) are mixed for 10minutes using a cross rotary type mixed available on the market at theroom temperature. To the thus obtained mixture, 50.0 g of sodiumN-myristoyl-alanine is added and mixed uniformly by a mixer available onthe market for 3 minutes. Then the mixture is subjected to a rotary typetablet machine (type Clean Press Correct H18 manufactured by KikusuiSeisakusho Co.), and tablets are made under the condition that thediameter is 30 mm, the thickness is 10 mm, and the amount of chargingper one tablet is 10.5 g. In this case, the tablet making force is setat 7 t, and tablets are continuously made. In this way, tablets of thesolid processing agent for color development of photographic color paperare made. Thus obtained tablets of the solid processing agent aredefined as the solid processing agent (2) for color development.

[3] Solid processing agent (3) for color development of photographiccolor paper is made as follows.

OPERATION (7)

All the granules made in Operations (2), (3) and (5) are mixed for 10minutes using a cross rotary type mixed available on the market at theroom temperature. To the thus obtained mixture, 50.0 g of sodiumN-myristoyl-alanine is added and mixed uniformly by a mixer available onthe market for 3 minutes. Then the mixture is subjected to a rotary typetablet machine (type Clean Press Correct H18 manufactured by KikusuiSeisakusho Co.), and tablets are made under the condition that thediameter is 20 mm, the thickness is 8 mm, and the amount of charging perone tablet is 5 g. In this case, the tablet making force is set at 4 t,and tablets are continuously made. In this way, tablets of the solidprocessing agent for color development of photographic color paper aremade. Thus obtained tablets of the solid processing agent are defined asthe solid processing agent (3) for color development.

[4] Solid processing agent (4) for color development of photographiccolor paper is made as follows.

OPERATION (8)

All the granules made in Operations (2), (3) and (5) are mixed for 10minutes using a cross rotary type mixed available on the market at theroom temperature. To the thus obtained mixture, 50.0 g of sodiumN-myristoyl-alanine is added and mixed uniformly by a mixer available onthe market for 3 minutes. Then the mixture is subjected to a rotary typetablet machine (type Clean Press Correct H18 manufactured by KikusuiSeisakusho Co.), and tablets are made under the condition that thediameter is 17 mm, the thickness is 6 mm, and the amount of charging perone tablet is 2 g. In this case, the tablet making force is set at 2 t,and tablets are continuously made. In this way, tablets of the solidprocessing agent for color development of photographic color paper aremade. Thus obtained tablets of the solid processing agent are defined asthe solid processing agent (4) for color development.

[5] The solid processing agent for bleaching and fixing color paper aremade as follows.

OPERATION (9)

In operation (9), 500.0 g of sodium carbonate monohydrate, 6000.0 g ofammonium ferric ethylenediaminepentaacetate trihydrate, and 300.0 g ofethylenediaminepentaacetic acid are ground in the same manner as that ofOperation (1) so that the average particle size can be 10 μm. The thusobtained fine powder is mixed in the same manner as that of Operation(1). Then, 200 ml of water is added to this mixture and granules aremade in the same manner as that of Operation (1). The thus obtainedgranules are dried by a fluidized-bed dryer for 3 hours at a temperatureof 60° C., so that the moisture in the granules is substantiallycompletely removed.

OPERATION (10)

In operation (10), 8000.0 g of ammonium thiosulfate and 3050.0 g ofsodium metabisulfite are ground in the same manner as that of Operation(1). To this mixture, 500 g of Pineflow (manufactured by MatsutaniKagaku Co.) is added and mixed in the same manner as that of Operation(1). In the same manner as that of Operation (1), 170 ml of water isadded, and the mixture is subjected to granulation. After granulation,granules are dried by a fluidized-bed drier for 2 hours at a temperatureof 60° C., so that the moisture in the granules is substantiallycompletely removed.

OPERATION (11)

Granules obtained in Operations (9) and (10) are mixed in the samemanner as that of Operation (4), and 1000.0 g of polyethyleneglycol, theweight average molecular weight of which is 4000, and 97.0 g of sodiumN-lauroyl sarcosine are added and mixed for 3 minutes using a mixer at atemperature of 25° C. in a room, the humidity of which is adjusted to benot higher than 40% RH. Then the thus obtained mixture is subjected to arotary type tablet machine (type Tough Pressed Correct H18 manufacturedby Kikusui Seisakusho Co.), and tablets, the diameter of which is 30 mm,the weight of which 11.0 g, are provided, which are used as the solidprocessing agent for bleaching and fixing photographic color paper.

[6] Solid processing agent for stabilizing color paper is prepared asfollows.

OPERATION (12)

In this operation, 450.0 g of sodium carbonate.monohydrate, 3000.0 g oftrisodium 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphate, 150.0 g of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt, and 70.0 g of o-phenylphenol are groundin the same manner as that of Operation (1). To this mixture, 500.0 g ofpolyethylene glycol, the weight average molecular weight of which is6000, is added and mixed in the same manner as that of Operation (1). Tothis mixture, 60 ml of water is added. This mixture is subjected togranulation in the same manner as that of Operation (1). Then the thusobtained granules are dried for 2 hours at a temperature of 70° C. usinga fluidized-bed drier, so that the moisture in the granules issubstantially completely removed. Then 30.0 g of sodium N-lauroylsarcosine is added and mixed for 3 minutes using a mixer at atemperature of 25° C. in a room, the humidity of which is adjusted to benot higher than 40% RH. Then the thus obtained mixture is subjected to arotary type tablet machine (type Tough Pressed Correct H18 manufacturedby Kikusui Seisakusho Co.), and tablets, the diameter of which is 30 mm,the weight of which 10.5 g, are provided, which are used as the solidprocessing agent for replenishment to stabilize the processingphotographic color paper.

After a sheet of photographic paper, the containing ratio of silverchloride of which was 99.5 mol %, described in Example 1 of JapanesePatent Pubiication Open to Public Inspection No. 264550/1992, wasexposed to light according to a normal method. Then the sheet ofphotographic paper was processed by a modified automatic developingapparatus of Type NPS manufactured by Konica Co., which is shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, wherein the tablets manufactured in the above manner wereused in the development process. The development process will be shownbelow.

    __________________________________________________________________________                             Replenishment                             amount of solid                                     Amount of added              Processing                      Processing                             processing                                     replenishment    Process   temperature                      time   agent   water    __________________________________________________________________________    Color development              Described on                      Described on                             7.8 g/m.sup.2                                     65 ml/m.sup.2              Table 1 Table 1    Bleaching fixing              35.0 ± 1.0° C.                      22 seconds                             6.2 g/m.sup.2                                     80 ml/m.sup.2    First stabilization              33.0 ± 3.0° C.                      22 seconds                             --      --    Second stabilization              33.0 ± 3.0° C.                      22 seconds                             --      --    Third stabilization              33.0 ± 3.0° C.                      22 seconds                             1.0 g/m.sup.2                                     180 ml/m.sup.2    Drying    72.0 ± 5.0° C.                      30 seconds                             --      --    __________________________________________________________________________

Remark: In this case, the solid processing agent replenishment amount isan amount of solid processing agent replenished per 1 m² of a sheet ofphotographic paper.

Concerning the adjustment of processing time in the color developmentprocess, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the length of the processing rack wasadjusted, so that the time was controlled as shown on the table.

In this case, a counter current system is employed in the stabilizingtank, in which the processing solution flows from the third to the firststabilizing tank. The processing solution that had overflowed the firststabilizing tank, the amount of which was 80 ml/m², was allowed to flowinto the bleaching fixing tank. Concerning the change in the colordeveloping time, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the color developing tank 1Awas changed into a short color developing tank. Tablets of solidprocessing agent were set in a tablet supply device attached to theautomatic developing apparatus. An amount of supply of the tablets perone operation was adjusted as shown on Table 1. In the case of bleachingfixing, 2 tablets (22.0 g) was supplied, and in the case of stabilizing,1 tablet (10.5 g) was supplied. The charging interval was adjusted sothat the amount of replenished solid processing agent could be the abovevalues. In accordance with that, replenishment water was supplied, andan amount of replenishment water was adjusted. Under the abovecondition, processing was effected. The processing solution in eachprocessing tank was prepared at the initial stage in accordance with thefollowing composition.

    ______________________________________    [COLOR DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION (PER 1l)]    ______________________________________    Sodium sulfite              0.05   g    Pentasodium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate                                3.0    g    Polyethylene glycol of the weight average molecular                                10.0   g    weight of 4000    Bis(sodiumsulfoethyl)hydroxylamine                                4.0    g    Chinopal SFP (manufactured by Chibagaigi Co.)                                1.0    g    P-toluene sodium sulfonate  30.0   g    Mannitol                    6.0    g    Potassium chloride          4.0    g    Pineflow                    3.0    g    Developing agent 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-(β-                                8.0    g    methanesulfoneamideethyl)aniline sulfate [CD-3]    Potassium carbonate         33.0   g    Lithium hydroxide           3.5    g    N-myristoyl-alanine sodium  0.30   g    The PH is adjusted to 10.00 ± 0.05 using potassium hydroxide or    sulfuric acid.    ______________________________________    [BLEACHING FIXING SOLUTION (PER 1l)]    ______________________________________    Ethylenediaminepentaacetic acid ferric sodium slat                                60.0   g    monohydrate    Ethylenediaminepentaacetic acid                                6.7    g    Ammonium thiosulfate        72.0   g    Sodium thiosulfate          8.0    g    Ammonium metabisulfite      7.5    g    The pH is adjusted to 6.0 ± 0.5 using potassium carbonate or    maleic acid.    ______________________________________    [STABILIZING SOLUTION (PER 1l)]    ______________________________________    Trisodium 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-disulfonate                                3.0    g    Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt                                1.5    g    Sodium carbonate            0.5    g    o-phenyl phenol             0.08   g    ______________________________________

The pH is adjusted to 8.0±0.5 using sodium carbonate or sulfuric acid.

As a comparative example, a replenishment solution was made inaccordance with a ratio of the solid processing agent to thereplenishment water shown in the process before, and the same processingwas conducted by the automatic developing apparatus of type Nice PrintSystem NPS818 (manufactured by Konica Co.) in which the conventionalreplenishment solution replenishing system was employed. In this case,an amount of each processing solution to be replenished was adjusted sothat the amount of each processing solution could be the same as thetotal of the solid processing solution and the replenishment water shownin the process before. This system is referred to as "Conventionalreplenishment solution system" on Table 1. In any replenishing system, acorresponding amount of water was added to compensate an amount ofevaporated water in each processing tank. In this way, runningprocessing was conducted. This running processing was carried out for 12hours per one day, so that 5 m² of color paper was continuouslyprocessed per one day. This operation was continued for 2 weeks.

[EXPERIMENT 1: Generation of stain in the running test]

Sheets of color paper that had been normally exposed by means of wedgeexposure were processed at the stage of an initial processing solutionand also at the stage after the running processing. The minimumreflected blue density (D_(min) Y)) was measured by the color analyzerof TOPSCAN MODEL TC-1800MKII manufactured by Tokyo Denshoku Co. Then, adifference of D_(min) (Y) between the stage of the initial processingsolution and the stage after the running processing was defined as thegeneration of stain.

[EXPERIMENT 2: Processing stability]

After the running processing, processing was conducted for 5 hours, andsheets of color paper that had been exposed by means of wedge exposurewere processed by 5 times, and the maximum reflected blue density(D_(max) (Y)) was measured by X-rite sold by Nippon Heiban Kizai Co. Adifference between the maximum D_(max) (Y) and the minimum D_(min) (Y)was defined as the processing stability.

Circumstances in the color development processing tank in the process ofrunning were evaluated in accordance with the following standard.

DEPOSITION

◯: No deposition. No problems are caused.

Δ: A small amount of deposition is found on the inner wall of the tankand the rack.

X: Deposition is found on almost all surfaces.

PRECIPITATION

◯: No precipitation. No problems are caused.

Δ: Precipitation is temporarily generated.

X: Precipitation is generated at all times. Problems are caused in thecirculation system.

                                      TABLE 1    __________________________________________________________________________        Solid pro-       Unit        cessing               Color     supply amount                                      Processing    Experi-        agent for               develop-                    Capacity                         of color develop-                                      temperature                                             Genera-                                                  Stability                                                       De-    ment        color devel-               ment of CD                         ment solid pro-                                      of color                                             tion of                                                  of pro-                                                       posi-                                                          Precipi-    No. opment time tank (B)                         cessing agent (A)                                  A/B development                                             stain                                                  cessing                                                       tion                                                          tation    __________________________________________________________________________    1-1 Solid pro-       84   g   7.0        0.063                                                  0.15 Δ                                                          Δ                                                               Comp.    1-2 cessing agent               22"  12 l 52.5 g   4.4 39.8° C.                                             0.055                                                  0.05 Δ                                                          Δ                                                               Comp.    1-3 (1)              31.5 g   2.6        0.054                                                  0.03 Δ                                                          Δ                                                               Comp.    1-4                  10.5 g   0.9        0.050                                                  0.03 Δ                                                          Δ                                                               Comp.    1-5 Solid pro-       84   g   7.0        0.035                                                  0.20 ◯                                                          Δ                                                               Inv.    1-6 cessing agent               18"  12 l 52.5 g   4.4 40.5° C.                                             0.020                                                  0.07 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-7 (2)              31.5 g   2.6        0.017                                                  0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-8                  10.5 g   0.9        0.017                                                  0.02 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-9 Solid pro-       84   g   7.0        0.030                                                  0.25 ◯                                                          Δ                                                               Inv.    1-10        cessing agent               10"  12 l 52.5 g   4.4 42° C.                                             0.018                                                  0.07 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-11        (2)              31.5 g   2.6        0.015                                                  0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-12                 10.5 g   0.9        0.015                                                  0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.    1-13        Conventional               22"  12 l --                  0.070                                                  0.10 X  X    Comp.        solution re-        plenishing        system    __________________________________________________________________________     Comp.: Comparative example     Inv.: Present invention

As can be seen from Table 1, when color development processing isconducted in accordance with the present invention, even though thethroughput in one operation is small, the generation of stain can bereduced. Besides, when a ratio of A/B is not more than 5, the processingstability can be improved more. In particular, it can be seen that it ismore preferable that the ratio f A/B is not more than 3.

When the paraphenylenediamine color developing agent was changed fromCD-3 to the chemical compounds (C-15), (C-17), (C-29) and (C-30)expressed by the formula [I] and the same experiment was carried out,the same result was provided.

[EXPERIMENT 2]

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another supply device for supplyingthe solid processing agent. In this supply device, a granular type solidprocessing agent can be used. In this supply device 70, operation iscarried out as follows. A granular type processing agent is charged intothe hopper 71. According to the throughput of photosensitive material,the piston is moved horizontally (to the right), and a predeterminedamount of granular processing agent is put into the measuring hole 72.Then the piston 75 is moved horizontally (to the left), so that thepredetermined amount of granular processing agent is supplied to thefilter tank from the discharge portion 74. This supply device wasattached to the same automatic developing apparatus as that of Example 1which was modified, and the same running test was carried out using thesame granules, which were samples of solid processing agent before theywere subjected to the tablet machine. As a result, the same excellentresult as that of Example 1 was provided.

EXAMPLE 3

The supply device was changed as shown below. Other points were the sameas those of Example 2, and the same experiment was carried out. In thisexperiment, the same result was provided.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another supply device for supplyingthe solid processing agent shown in this example. The supply device 80is provided with a package 81 charged with granular processing agent.The package 81 can be automatically opened and closed by the roller 83.When the rotational speed of the screw 82 is controlled, granularchemicals are supplied from the discharge section 84.

EXAMPLE 4

In this example 4, the color developing tank 1A was replaced withanother one as shown in FIG. 7, so that the opening area ratio N of thecolor developing tank could be changed. Other points were the same asthose of Example 1, and the same experiment was carried out. The resultof the experiment is shown on Table 2.

                                      TABLE 2    __________________________________________________________________________        Solid pro-        cessing              Color     Unit    Experi-        agent for              develop-                   Capacity                        supply        Ratio N                                           Genera-                                                Stability    ment        color de-              ment of CD                        amount        of open-                                           tion of                                                of pro-                                                     Deposi-                                                          Precipi-    No. velopment              time tank (B)                        (A)  A/B Temp.                                      ing area                                           stain                                                cessing                                                     tion tation    __________________________________________________________________________    4-1 Solid pro-              22"  12 l 10.5 g                             0.9   39.8° C.                                      15 cm.sup.2 /l                                           0.068                                                0.05 Δ                                                          Δ                                                               Comp.        cessing        agent (1)    4-2 Solid pro-              10"  12 l 10.5 g                             0.9 42° C.                                      15   0.030                                                0.05 ◯                                                          Δ                                                               Inv.        cessing        agent (2)    4-3 Solid pro-              10"  12 l 10.5 g                             0.9 42° C.                                      12   0.015                                                0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.        cessing        agent (2)    4-4 Solid pro-              10"  12 l 10.5 g                             0.9 42° C.                                       8   0.013                                                0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.        cessing        agent (2)    4-5 Solid pro-              10"  12 l 10.5 g                             0.9 42° C.                                       6   0.011                                                0.03 ◯                                                          ◯                                                               Inv.        cessing        agent (2)    __________________________________________________________________________     Comp.: Comparative example     Inv.: Present invention

As can be seen from Table 2, according to the present invention, anamount of generated stain was small. Especially when the opening arearatio N was reduced to be not more than 12 cm² /l, an amount ofgenerated stain was further reduced.

EXAMPLE 5

It should be noted that the reference numerals are different in thisexample from those of Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 8 is a transverse sectionalview showing an outline of the arrangement of the automatic developingapparatus of this example, wherein the view is taken in the conveyancedirection. FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view showing the processingtanks from the color developing tank P3 to the first stabilizing tank ofthe automatic developing apparatus, wherein the view is taken in theconveyance direction. The processing tanks are arranged in the directionof conveyance of silver halide photosensitive material (photographicpaper) P2. That is, the processing tanks are arranged in the order ofthe color developing tank P3, bleaching and fixing tank P4, firststabilizing tank P5, second stabilizing tank P6, and third stabilizingtank P7, which are arranged in the transverse direction. The colordeveloping solution P3A, bleaching and fixing solution P4A, andstabilizing solutions P5A, P6A, P7A are respectively charged into theprocessing tanks. The conveyance passage of the photosensitive materialP8 is shown by a one-dotted chain line, and the photosensitive materialP2 is conveyed by the conveyance rollers PR1 to PR14 which are arrangedin the conveyance direction from the entrance. Each processing tank isfilled with the processing solution to the level PL which is the samewith respect to all processing tanks.

Three processing tanks form one unit of processing tanks. Height of theunit of processing tanks is very small compared with the height of theconventional automatic developing apparatus. Incidentally, in FIG. 8,all processing tanks can be combined into one tank unit. The processingtanks are respectively covered with the upper conveyance guide P3B ofthe color developing tank P3, the upper conveyance guide P4B of thebleaching and fixing tank P4, the upper conveyance guide P5B of thefirst stabilizing tank P5, the upper conveyance guide P6B of the secondstabilizing tank P6, and the upper conveyance guide P7B of the thirdstabilizing tank P7. Due to the upper conveyance guides, the openingareas of the processing tanks are remarkably reduced, and the tankcapacities are also reduced. Due to the foregoing, the tank capacitiesof the color developing tank P3 and the bleaching and fixing tank P4 arerespectively 5 l, and the tank capacities of the first, second and thirdstabilizing tanks P5, P6, P7 are respectively 4 l. Each tank is providedwith the cover member P36 capable being opened and closed.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, in the automatic developing apparatus ofthe present invention, a current of processing solution perpendicular tothe surface of the drawing is formed with respect to the conveyancepassage. The circumstances are illustrated in FIG. 10 which is a viewshowing the color developing tank P3 by way of example. FIG. 10(a) is aplan view of the color developing tank P3, and arrows in the view showthe main current of the processing solution. The current of solution isformed by the pump P15 which is a circulation means. The colordeveloping solution flows out from the outlet P81 of the pump P15. Thenthe processing solution passes through the openings P811, P812, P813 andP814, so that energetic currents are formed and flow from the right tothe left in the drawing. Then the currents are sucked into the suctionport P82 provided at the left end of the color developing tank P3. Thesuction port P82 is connected with the pump P26 so that the solution canbe sucked. Then the processing solution sucked by the pump P26 passesthrough the pipe P26 and returns to the auxiliary tank P16. After that,the processing solution passes through the filter P27 for filtration andis returned to the processing tank by the pump P15. In this case, thesolid processing agent is supplied to the auxiliary tank P16 by thesolid processing agent supply means P17. Water is supplied by the pumpP18 from the water tank P19 to the auxiliary tank P16.

FIG. 10(b) is a sectional view taken on line X--X in FIG. 10(a). As canbe seen from FIG. 10(b), two rectangles illustrated at the center ofFIG. 10(a) are the lower portions of the color developing tank P3. Thatis, the two rectangles are the inner wall surface of the colordeveloping tank P3 which functions as a guide for guiding thephotosensitive material P2. The currents flow out from the openings P11to P14 in the transverse direction with respect to the conveyancedirection of the photosensitive material P2, that is, the currents flowin the direction perpendicular to the surface of FIG. 10(b). That is,the currents of the processing solution are formed by the openingsprovided at the corresponding positions of FIG. 10(b). Accordingly, inthe case of the color developing tank P23, in the conveyance passage ofthe photosensitive material P2, the currents generated in the processingtank region between the entry side conveyance roller R6 and the deliveryside conveyance roller R8 provide the development facilitating effect.

The suction port P82 provided at the lower portion of the processingtank is connected with the circulation pump P26 through a pipe. Thecirculation pump P26 is connected with the auxiliary tank P16 through apipe. The auxiliary tank P16 is connected with the circulation pump P15through a pipe. The circulation pump P15 is connected with the outletP18 of the processing tank through a pipe. The circulation pumps P26 andP15 continuously circulate the processing solution. The flow rate ofeach circulation pump can be continuously varied and controlled in arange from 3 l/min to 50 l/min. The processing tank is provided with anoverflow port, and the overflowing solution is stored in the wastesolution tank. The circulation pump P15 is controlled in accordance withthe throughput of photosensitive material and the supply of the solidprocessing agent into the auxiliary tank. The processing tank isprovided with a level gauge for detecting the level of the solution, andinformation of the detected level is transmitted to the control means.The circulation pump P26 is controlled in accordance with the levelinformation and the control information of the circulation pump P15.

As shown in FIG. 10(c), the structure of the auxiliary tank P16 is thesame as that of the auxiliary tank of Example 1 shown in FIG. 3. In thesame manner as that of the auxiliary tank of Example 1 shown in FIG. 3,the auxiliary tank P16 is provided with the solid processing agentsupply means P17. Therefore, in the auxiliary tank P16, water isreplenished from the water tank P19 by the water supply pump P18, theprocessing solution temperature is adjusted by the heater andthermometer, the processing solution is subjected to filtration by thefilter P21, and the solid processing agent is supplied into theprocessing solution by the solid processing agent supply means P17. Inthe same manner as that of the auxiliary tank of Example 1 shown in FIG.3, there is provided a processing solution level sensor, and thedetected level information is transmitted to the control means. Althoughnot described in the control flow of FIG. 11, when the level of theprocessing solution is lower than a predetermined value, the processingis prohibited by the control means. It is preferable that theprohibition level is set at a position a little higher than theuppermost portion of the filter P27. A warning solution level is set ata position higher than the prohibition solution level, and it ispreferable to give a warning when the solution level becomes lower thanthe warning solution level.

Water to be replenished to the auxiliary tank P16 is stored in a watertank P19. In the water tank P19, there is provided a temperatureadjusting means composed of a heater and temperature sensor, so that thetemperature is adjusted at a predetermined value. In the experimentdescribed later, the temperature is adjusted in a range of 38°±1° C.

FIG. 11 is a control flow of the circulation system of this example.When the operational switch of the automatic developing apparatus isturned on, the circulation pumps P26 and P15 are driven under thecondition that the flow rate is low. After that, the automaticdeveloping apparatus control such as processing solution temperaturecontrol, photosensitive material conveyance control, processing agentreplenishment control and water replenishment control is started. Atthis point of operation, all processing tanks are controlled under acommon condition. When the common control is completed, each processingtank is controlled, and the program advances to step S01 in FIG. 11.

In step S01, the solution level in the processing tank detected by thesolution level sensor is judged. When the solution level is in apredetermined range, the program advances to step S04. When the solutionlevel is lower than the predetermined range in step S01, the programadvances to step S02, and the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 isreduced by a predetermined ratio, and the program advances to step S04.When the solution level is higher than the predetermined range in stepS01, the program advances to step S03, and the flow rate of thecirculation pump P26 is increased by a predetermined ratio, and theprogram advances to step S04. In step S04, it is judged whether or notthe photosensitive material is being processed. When the photosensitivematerial is not being processed in step S04, the program advances tostep S11. When the photosensitive material is being processed in stepS04, the program advances to step S05. While the photosensitive materialis being processed, it is necessary to increase the flow rate of theprocessing solution jetted out from the slit. Therefore, the flow rateof the circulation pump P15 is increased to a predetermined high value,and the program advances to step S06. In step S06, it is judged whetheror not the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 has already beenincreased. In the case where the flow rate of the circulation pump P26has already been increased to the high value, the program returns tostep S01. In the case where the flow rate of the circulation pump P26has not been increased to the high value, the program advances to stepS07, and the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 is increased to thepredetermined high value, and the program returns to step SO1.

In this connection, when the program advances to step S11, it is judgedwhether or not a period of time that has passed from the supply of thesolid processing agent conducted by the solid processing agent supplymeans P17 of the auxiliary tank P16 is shorter than the predeterminedvalue. When the period of time is shorter than the predetermined value,the program advances to step S17, and the flow rate of the circulationpump P15 is made to a predetermined medium value, and the programadvances to step S19. When the period of time is not shorter than thepredetermined value, the program advances to step S12. In step S12, itis judged whether or not water is being replenished. When water is beingreplenished, the program advances to step S17, and the flow rate of thecirculation pump P15 is made to be the predetermined medium value, andthe program advances to step S19. When water is not being replenished,the program advances to step S13. In step S13, it is judged whether ornot the heater in the auxiliary tank P16 is turned on. When the heaterin the auxiliary tank P16 is turned on, the program advances to stepS17, and the flow rate of the circulation pump P15 is made to be thepredetermined medium value, and the program advances to step S19. Whenthe heater in the auxiliary tank P16 is not turned on, the programadvances to step S14. In step S14, it is judged whether or not theconveyance means for conveying the photosensitive material in theprocessing tank is operated. When the conveyance means is operated, theprogram advances to step S17, and the flow rate of the circulation pumpP15 is made to be the predetermined medium value, and the programadvances to step S19. When the conveyance means is not operated, theprogram advances to step S15. In step S15, the flow rate of thecirculation pump P15 is made to be the predetermined medium value, andthe program advances to step S16. In step S16, it is judged whether ornot the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 has already been reducedto a low value. When the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 hasalready been reduced to a low value, the program returns to step SO1.When the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 has not been reduced tothe low value, the program advances to step S18, and the flow rate ofthe circulation pump P26 is reduced to the predetermined low value, andthe program returns to step SO1. In step S19, it is judged whether ornot the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 has already been set to bethe medium value. When the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 hasalready been set to be the medium value, the program returns to stepSO1. When the flow rate of the circulation pump P26 has not been set tobe the medium value, the program advances to step S20, and the flow rateof the circulation pump P26 is made to be the predetermined mediumvalue, and the program returns to step S01.

When the solid processing agent is supplied by the solid processingagent supply means P16 at this time, an interruption handling isconducted on step S08, and the program advances to step S09, and aperiod of time that has passed is set at 0, that is, the timer is set at0, and the program advances to step S17.

Due to the flow of control described above, only when the photosensitivematerial is processed, the processing solution is circulated at a highflow rate, so that the processing speed can be increased, and when thephotosensitive material is not processed, the flow rate is made to be alow or medium value, so that oxidization and deterioration of theprocessing solution can be prevented unlike a case in which theprocessing solution is circulated at a high flow rate. When theprocessing solution is circulated at a low or medium flow rate, variousproblems caused when the processing solution is not circulated can beprevented, the detail of which will be described below. Unevenness ofprocessing caused by a processing solution of high concentration closeto a position where the solid processing agent is not dissolved can beprevented. Oxidization, deterioration and precipitation of theprocessing solution components can be prevented. Uneven temperature anddefective control of temperature caused by local heating can beprevented. Uneven processing caused by the processing solution of lowconcentration in the case of replenishing water can be prevented. Highconcentration of the processing solution caused when replenishment wateris not completely mixed can be prevented. When the conveyance rollers51, 60, 73, 34, 33 are rotated at every predetermined time, in apreferable example, the conveyance rollers 51, 60, 73, 34, 33 arerotated for 30 seconds at every 10 minutes, so as to prevent the growthof the precipitation of the processing agent components, theprecipitation can be sufficiently diffused.

In this connection, the above judgment is preferably conducted asfollows. A flag is set up in accordance with the result of judgmentconducted by another CPU, and the judgment is carried out in accordancewith the result obtained when the flag is read. In this way, judgment isquickly carried out. In this case, the high flow rate is defined as avalue in a range from 20 to 30 ml/min. The medium flow rate is definedas a value lower than the high flow rate and not less than 10 ml/min.The low flow rate is defined as a value in a range from 5 to 10 ml/min.

Control except for control of the circulation means will be described asfollows.

Control of the solid processing agent is conducted as follows. Thethroughput of the photosensitive material is detected by thephotosensitive throughput detection means provided at the entrance ofthe automatic developing apparatus. Each time the detected throughputreaches a multiple of the throughput of photosensitive material per oneoperation of the supply of the solid processing agent, a predeterminedamount of solid processing agent is supplied.

Temperature adjustment is effected as follows. When the temperaturedetected by the thermometer arranged in the auxiliary tank P16 is lowerthan the range of [predetermined temperature-predetermined deviation],the heater arranged in the auxiliary tank P16 exerts its full capacity100%. When the temperature detected by the thermometer arranged in theauxiliary tank P16 is higher than the range of [predeterminedtemperature-predetermined deviation] and not higher than thepredetermined temperature, the heater arranged in the auxiliary tank P16exerts the capacity of 95%. When the temperature is not less than thepredetermined temperature, the heater is turned off, so that thetemperature can be adjusted at the predetermined value. When thetemperature is not more than [predetermined temperature-predetermineddangerous temperature], and also when the temperature is not less than[predetermined temperature+predetermined dangerous temperature], awarning is given, and it is controlled that the processing isprohibited. In this case, the predetermined dangerous temperature ishigher than the predetermined temperature deviation.

Supply of replenishment water includes a dissolving water replenishmentcontrol and an evaporated water replenishment control. In the dissolvingwater replenishment control, each time the detected throughput reaches amultiple of the throughput of photosensitive material per one operationof the supply of replenishment water, a predetermined amount ofreplenishment water is supplied. In the evaporated water replenishmentcontrol, each time the detected throughput reaches a multiple of thethroughput of photosensitive material per one operation of the supply ofevaporated replenishment water, a predetermined amount of evaporatedreplenishment water is supplied. In this connection, the throughput ofphotosensitive material per one supply operation can be found by apredetermined unit amount per one supply operation and a replenishmentwater amount per 1 m² of processed photosensitive material.

The conveyance rollers 51, 60, 73, 34, 33 are rotated for 30 seconds atevery 10 minutes so as to prevent the growth of the precipitation of theprocessing agent components, and the precipitation can be sufficientlydiffused.

[EXPERIMENT ]

In this experiment, instead of the automatic developing apparatus ofExample 1, the automatic developing apparatus of Example 5 was used, andtablets of solid processing agent were used. Further, the solidprocessing agent supply means shown in FIG. 3 was used. Concerning thecolor development processing agent, the solid processing agent (4) ofExample 1 was used, and the unit supply amount of the solid processingagent was set at 2 g. Photographic paper described in Example 1, thesilver chloride containing ratio of which was 99.5 mol %, was exposed tolight according to the normal method. After that, the photographic paperwas subjected to the following process. Other points were the same asthose of Example 1. Under the above condition, the same experiment asthat of Example 1 was made. The substantially same result as that ofExample 1 was obtained.

    __________________________________________________________________________                             Replenishment                             amount of solid                                     Amount of added              Processing                      Processing                             processing                                     replenishment    Process   temperature                      time   agent   water    __________________________________________________________________________    Color development              42.0 ± 0.2° C.                      10 seconds                             7.8 g/m.sup.2                                      65 ml/m.sup.2    Bleaching fixing              38.0 ± 0.5° C.                      10 seconds                             6.2 g/m.sup.2                                      80 ml/m.sup.2    First stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                       8 seconds                             1.0 g/m.sup.2                                     180 ml/m.sup.2    Second stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                       8 seconds                             1.0 g/m.sup.2                                     180 ml/m.sup.2    Third stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                       8 seconds                             1.0 g/m.sup.2                                     180 ml/m.sup.2    Drying    72.0 ± 5.0° C.                      30 seconds                             --      --    __________________________________________________________________________     REMARK: The solid processing agent replenishment amount is a value per 1     m.sup.2 of photographic paper.

EXAMPLE 6

In this example, the reference numerals are different from those ofExamples 1 to 5. In the automatic developing apparatus of this example,the following units are attached to the color developing tank.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the primary portion of the colordeveloping tank. As illustrated in the drawing, the color developingtank 11L is filled with the color developing solution. In the colordeveloping tank 11L, there are provided a first rack 31L and a secondrack 32L. In the conveyance passage 30L illustrated in the drawing,photosensitive material F is conveyed. The conveying means is a meansfor conveying the photosensitive material F in the above conveyancepassage. In this case, the photosensitive material F is conveyed byconveyance rollers not shown in the drawing. The processing solution 40Lis pressured by the plump 22L of the pump means. On the first rack, theprocessing solution, which has been pressured by the pump, passesthrough a flange joint 24L, bellows joint 25L and box joint 26L, and isconnected to a pipe 23L to which nozzles are attached. On the secondrack, the processing solution, which has been pressured by the pump,passes through a flange joint 24L, bellows joint 25L, extension pipe 27Land box joint 26L, and is connected to a pipe 23L to which nozzles areattached. In each row of the pipe 23L, 7 to 8 nozzle holes are formed.The nozzle 20L, which is a nozzle means, jets the pressured processingsolution from a hole, the diameter of which is 1.5 to 2.0 mm, at a jetangle of 45°.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second rack of the color developingagent. FIG. 13 is a view taken from a direction opposite to that of FIG.12. As illustrated in the drawing, the jet angle of the nozzle 20L is45° with respect to the photosensitive material conveyance direction F2.

FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are schematic illustration for explaining theoperation of the nozzle means. As illustrated in FIG. 14(a), a nozzlehole 20 is formed on the pipe 23L. The processing solution 40L is jettedout from the nozzle hole 20 onto the photosensitive material surface atthe jet angle θ of 45°. When the processing solution in the processingtank is sucked by a pump and jetted out from the nozzle 20L through thepipe 23L as illustrated in FIG. 14(b), the processing solution adheringon the surface of photosensitive material F is blown out by the actionof the composite speed of the photosensitive material conveyance speedand the jetting speed from the nozzle.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the nozzle means in which nozzles arearranged zigzag. As illustrated in the drawing, nozzles are arranged onthe pipe 23L at regular intervals. Further, on the adjacent pipe 23L,nozzles are arranged at regular intervals, wherein these nozzles areshifted from the nozzles described before by a half pitch. Therefore,the entire nozzles are arranged zigzag.

The operation of this example will be explained as follows. First, anexposed photosensitive material is set at the entry port. Then thephotosensitive material is conveyed in the conveyance passage. Then thephotosensitive material is sent onto the first rack, and the processingsolution is jetted onto the photosensitive material from the nozzles.Then the photosensitive material is sent onto the second rack andsubjected to color development in the same manner as described above.After that, the photosensitive material is sent into each processingtank so as to be processed in the tank. In this connection, the colordevelopment solution is sucked by the pump 22L and passes through thepipe. Then the color development solution is jetted onto thephotosensitive material F on the first and second racks. Since thenozzles are inclined by a jetting angle θ with respect to thephotosensitive material surface, the nozzles in the adjacent row on thesame rack are not affected. In the case where a plurality of racks areprovided, the nozzles in the adjacent rack are not affected.Accordingly, there is no possibility that the end portion F1 of thephotosensitive material is excessively processed. Since the plurality ofracks are provided, the agitation effect of the processing solution isenhanced. In this connection, it is preferable that the jet angle isform 0° to 90°.

In this example, the automatic developing apparatus is similar to thatof Example 1, and the color developing tank of Example 1 is replacedwith that shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 in this example. In this automaticdeveloping apparatus, the capacity of each tank is 2 l. Concerning thecolor development processing agent, the solid processing agent (3) ofExample 1 was used, and the unit supply amount of the solid processingagent was set at 5 g. Photographic paper described in Example 1, thesilver chloride containing ratio of which was 99.5 mol %, was exposed tolight according to the normal method. After that, the photographic paperwas subjected to the following process. Other points were the same asthose of Example 1. Under the above condition, the same experiment asthat of Example 1 was made. The substantially same result as that ofExample 1 was obtained.

    __________________________________________________________________________                             Replenishment                             amount of solid                                     Amount of added              Processing                      Processing                             processing                                     replenishment    Process   temperature                      time   agent   water    __________________________________________________________________________    Color development              42.0 ± 0.2° C.                      10 seconds                             7.8 g/m.sup.2                                     65 ml/m.sup.2    Bleaching fixing              38.0 ± 0.5° C.                      10 seconds                             6.2 g/m.sup.2                                     80 ml/m.sup.2    First stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                      10 seconds                             --      --    Second stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                      10 seconds                             --      --    Third stabilization              38.0 ± 2.0° C.                      10 seconds                             1.0 g/m.sup.2                                     180 ml/m.sup.2    Drying    72.0 ± 5.0° C.                      50 seconds                             --      --    __________________________________________________________________________     REMARK: The solid processing agent replenishment amount is a value per 1     m.sup.2 of photographic paper.

EXAMPLE 7

In the automatic developing apparatus of Example 5, the solid processingagent for color development, color developing time, color developingtank capacity, amount of replenishment water for color development andratio of the open area of the color developing tank were changed asshown on Table 3. In the running experiment, an amount of color paperprocessed by one operation was changed to 2.5 m². Other points were thesame as those of Example 5.

The results of the experiment are shown on Table 3.

In this connection, the solid processing agent for color developmentshown on Table 3 is described as follows. The charge amount per onetablet is 2 g, the diameter is 17 mm, and the thickness is 6 mm, whichare the same as those of the solid processing agent used in Operation(4) described in Example 1.

The capacity of the color developing tank was reduced in the followingmanner. As illustrated in FIGS. 16(A), 16(B) and 16(C), it is composedin such a manner that a portion of the inner wall of the processing tankis also used as the conveyance guide for conveying photosensitivematerial. In this way, the width of the photosensitive materialconveyance passage was reduced in the order of FIG. 16(A), FIG. 16(B)and FIG. 16(C), so that the processing tank capacity was reduced.

                                      TABLE 3    __________________________________________________________________________       Solid               Area of       process-       Replen-                           conveyed    Ex-       ing agent            Color                 Capacity                      ishment                           photo-      Ratio of    peri-       for color            develop-                 of CD                      water                           sensitive   opening                                            Genera-                                                 Stability                                                      De-    ment       develop-            ment tank (B)                      amount                           material    area (N)                                            tion of                                                 of pro-                                                      posi-                                                         Precip-    No.       ment time l    (C) l/m.sup.2                           (ST) m.sup.2                                B/C                                   B/ST                                       cm.sup.2 /l                                            stain                                                 cessing                                                      tion                                                         itation                                                              Remark    __________________________________________________________________________    7-1       5    22"  8    0.065                           0.07 123.1                                   114.3                                       8    0.078                                                 0.20 Δ                                                         Δ                                                              Comp.    7-2       4    10"  8    0.065                           0.07 123.1                                   114.3                                       8    0.030                                                 0.11 ◯                                                         ◯                                                              Inv.    7-3       4    10"  6    0.065                           0.07 92.3                                   85.7                                       8    0.018                                                 0.06 ◯                                                         ◯                                                              Inv.    7-4       4    10"  3    0.065                           0.07 46.2                                   42.9                                       8    0.013                                                 0.04 ◯                                                         ◯                                                              Inv.    7-5       4    10"  1    0.065                           0.07 15.4                                   14.3                                       8    0.011                                                 0.03 ◯                                                         ◯                                                              Inv.    __________________________________________________________________________     Comp.: Comparative example     Inv.: Present invention

As can be seen from Table 3, in the case of B/C<100, it is possible tofurther provide the same effect of the present invention as describedbefore. Further, in the case of B/C<50, it is possible to provide moreeffect.

According to the present invention, even when the color developing timeis short and the throughput is small, the occurrence of stain is reducedover a long period of time.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for processing a silver halide colorphotographic material with a processing solution, comprising:a colordeveloping tank in which a color developing solution is stored, whereina volume of a color developing solution in the color developing tank isB (l), and the photographic material is subjected to color developmentwith the color developing solution; an agent replenishing device forreplenishing a solid agent for color development by a unit amount of A(g) at a time, substantially directly into the color developing tank,wherein a ratio of the unit amount A to the volume B satisfies thefollowing relation: 0.01<A/B<5; a processing tank located next to thecolor developing tank, in the processing tank is stored a processingsolution to process the photographic material subjected to the colordevelopment; and a conveyor to convey the photographic material into thecolor developing tank and into the processing tank, wherein the conveyorconveys the photographic material from starting dipping the photographicmaterial in the color developing solution to starting dipping thephotographic material in the processing solution for a time T whichsatisfies the following relationship: 5 seconds≦T≦18 seconds.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga water replenishing device forreplenishing water substantially directly into the color developingtank.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the water is heated.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the color developing tank has an openingarea S (cm²) which is an interface area between air and the colordeveloping solution and a ratio N of the opening area S to the volume Bis not more than 12 cm² /l.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecolor developing tank comprises a nozzle for jetting the colordeveloping solution toward the photographic material.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein an amount C (l) of water is replenished fordissolving the solid processing agent whose amount is necessary toprocess the photographic material of 1 (m²) and a ratio of the volume Bto the water amount C satisfies the following relation: B/C<100.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveyor conveys the photographicmaterial along a passage and a sectional view of the color developingtank is shaped so as to follow along the passage of the photographicmaterial.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the developing tank has ainternal wall used as a guide member to guide the photographic materialalong the passage.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingcirculating means for generating a circulation current of the colordeveloping solution along a flow passage, wherein the circulating meansregulates a flow rate of the circulation current in accordance with aworking condition of the apparatus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,further comprising a filter disposed on the flow passage so as tofiltrate the color developing solution, and the agent replenishingdevice supplies the solid agent upstream of the filter in relation tothe flow passage.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingcirculating means for generating a circulation current of the colordeveloping solution along a flow passage and a filter disposed on theflow passage so as to filter the color developing solution, wherein thecirculating means comprises a first circulating means disposed on theflow passage from the color developing tank to the filter, and a secondcirculating means on the flow passage from the filter to the colordeveloping tank.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the secondcirculating means generates a circulation current with a substantiallyconstant flow rate while the photographic material is being processed inthe color developing tank.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thecolor developing tank comprises a level sensor to detect the level ofthe color developing solution, and the first circulating means iscontrolled in accordance with the detected level.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the second circulating means regulates a flow rate ofthe circulation current in accordance with a working condition of theapparatus and the first circulating means is controlled in accordancewith the working condition of the apparatus.
 15. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the color developing tank comprises a level sensor to detectthe level of the color developing solution, and the first circulatingmeans or the second circulating means is controlled in accordance withthe detected level.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio ofA/B satisfies the following relation: 0.05<A/B≦3.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a ratio of B/ST satisfies the following relation:1.5≦B/ST≦100, wherein B is a tank capacity (l) and ST is an area (m²) ofa photosensitive material conveying surface.
 18. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the ratio of B/ST satisfies the following relation:3.0≦B/ST≦50.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ratio of A/Bsatisfies the following relation: 0.05<A/B≦3.